A safe summer begins with sun safety

This year, an estimated 2,700 residents of North Carolina will be diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. The Onslow County Health Department reminds Onslow County residents that protecting skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays reduces the risk of skin cancer.

This year, an estimated 2,700 residents of North Carolina will be diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. The Onslow County Health Department reminds Onslow County residents that protecting skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays reduces the risk of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States; however, it is also preventable in many cases. Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and unprotected exposure to the ultraviolet light from indoor tanning equipment are the most preventable risk factors for skin cancer. Two ways of prevention are to protect skin from excess sun and from too much indoor tanning.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Unprotected skin can be harmed by ultraviolet rays in as little as 15 minutes, yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effects of sun exposure.” That means that what might look like a little sun exposure at first can really be damaged skin later.

North Carolina ranks 20th in the nation for risk of melanoma. Approximately 287 people in North Carolina die of melanoma each year. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths for young adults ages 25 to 29.

The good news is that most skin cancers are preventable, easy to recognize, and - if detected early - curable. Education plays an important role in prevention of skin cancer, and the Health Department has materials and staff available to provide training on sun safety.

The following steps offer protection against UV exposure that can lead to skin cancer:

Seek shade, especially during midday hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wear clothing to protect exposed skin.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.

Wear wrap-around sunglasses that block as much of the UV rays as possible.

Pay attention to the UV index when planning outdoor activities.

Use sunscreen with sun protective factor of 30 or higher.

Avoid tanning.

“Summer is the time to enjoy outdoor activities, but it should be done safely,” Onslow County Health Director Angela Lee said. “We do not want summer fun to lead to a serious health condition in the future.”

For more information, call Onslow County Health Department at 910-347-2154; visit Onslowcountync.gov/health/; or follow the agency on Twitter at @OCHealthDept.